Wall plants ...

Deleted

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Wall plants ... Oct 31, 2006 15:20:33 GMT

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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2006 15:20:33 GMT

Hi all,

I'd like to grow plants in my dry stone wall next year, but have absolutely no idea how to go about this. I've tried shoving compost into the cracks (some quite big gaps), and planting alyssum and lobelia, but nothing took - I also tried sowing seed in the cracks, but that also did not work. It's so frustrating because I see loads of obviously self-seeded plants in the walls around the area? Has anybody done this? Any suggestions? ... cheers ...

mickthecactus
Deputy Head Gardener

Posts: 937

Wall plants ... Oct 31, 2006 16:07:53 GMT

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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 31, 2006 16:07:53 GMT

Hi CC.

Suggest Sempervivums and sedums for a start. I am succesfully growing Sempervivums on solid concrete so a dry stone wall will be fine. Also try aubretia and, of course, wallflowers!

They will need some watering to get them going though.

Deleted Posts: 0	Wall plants ... Oct 31, 2006 16:51:53 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2006 16:51:53 GMT Thanks for the suggestions, Mick. I was thinking of those, and also valerian (sp?). But what's the best way to actually plant them? - will they take better if sown in situ, or squished into the wall? ... cheers ...

Deleted Posts: 0	Wall plants ... Oct 31, 2006 18:04:36 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2006 18:04:36 GMT Antirrhinum's are good for dry walls and will come back from seed year after year.

mickthecactus
Deputy Head Gardener

Posts: 937

Wall plants ... Nov 1, 2006 13:15:15 GMT

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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 1, 2006 13:15:15 GMT

CC, I have to say that I would squish (technical term?) them into the wall and add as much soil as you can pres round them. Once they get settled, they should be there for life.

My Sempervivums were initially just held in place by gravel but the roots now have a hold on the concrete. As their leaves die they fertilise themselves (so to speak) and are quite happy in their environment.

Deleted Posts: 0	Wall plants ... Nov 1, 2006 13:23:00 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2006 13:23:00 GMT Thanks Mick, will squish! ... cheers ...

bagpuss
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Posts: 1,783

Wall plants ... Nov 1, 2006 13:29:00 GMT

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Post by bagpuss on Nov 1, 2006 13:29:00 GMT

You could also try Erodiums. I seem to recall that Carol Klein mentioned in one GW programme that they particularly like growing out of cracks and crevices. I have one which I forced through a small hole in the wall and it has been fine for just over a year, and still has a few flowers on it even now!

www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/gardening/queryengine?config=plantfinder&templatestyle=plantfinder&page=1&sort_1=genus&sortsense_1=ASC&sort_2=species&sortsense_2=ASC&sort_3=cultivar&sortsense_2=ASC&attrib_1=common_name&oper_1=re&bool_1=OR&attrib_2=species&oper_2=re&bool_2=OR&attrib_3=cultivar&oper_3=re&bool_3=OR&attrib_4=genus&oper_4=re&bool_4=OR&attrib_5=plant_type&oper_5=re&bool_5=AND&attrib_6=plant_sub_type&oper_6=eq&bool_6=AND&attrib_7=flower_colour&oper_7=eq&bool_7=AND&attrib_8=foliage_colour&oper_8=eq&bool_8=AND&attrib_9=features&oper_9=re&bool_9=AND&attrib_10=exposure&oper_10=re&bool_10=AND&attrib_11=soil_type&oper_11=re&bool_11=AND&attrib_12=hardiness&oper_12=re&bool_12=AND&attrib_13=skill_level&oper_13=eq&bool_13=AND&attrib_14=award&oper_14=re&bool_14=AND&range_start=1&range_length=10&orig_text=erodium&val_1_1=%5Cberodium%5Cb&val_2_1=%5Cberodium%5Cb&val_3_1=%5Cberodium%5Cb&val_4_1=%5Cberodium%5Cb&x=0&y=0

Deleted Posts: 0	Wall plants ... Nov 2, 2006 13:43:30 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2006 13:43:30 GMT Thanks Bagpuss, I've just googled Erodiums and they look lovely ... cheers ...

Deleted Posts: 0	Wall plants ... Nov 3, 2006 22:40:59 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2006 22:40:59 GMT Could also try Campanula Muralis, lots of blue flowers and creeps along the gaps in the stones. Also could St Peter Port Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus) but that does tend to take over in a few years.

Deleted Posts: 0	Wall plants ... Nov 4, 2006 15:41:04 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2006 15:41:04 GMT Lewisia as they like to be well drained & sideways, how about ferns if a bit is shady, they grow in walls naturally.

Deleted Posts: 0	Wall plants ... Nov 5, 2006 14:43:49 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2006 14:43:49 GMT Thanks for all the suggestions; now I'm spoilt for choice ;D ... cheers ...